The Vikings allowed 386 yards and 23 points during the Week 4 win over the Texans and play the Seahawks on Sunday.

Analysis: It was the best defensive performance of the season for Minnesota with three sacks and one takeaway, though given its previous performance that isn't saying much. Week 5 presents a much more daunting matchup, as QB Russell Wilson is leading the second highest-scoring offense (35.5 PPG) in the league. Seattle has eclipsed 30 points in every contest and has only three giveaways, so there's little reason to give the Minnesota D/ST a second look this weekend.

The Vikings allowed 31 points and 444 yards during the Week 3 loss to the Titans and play the Texans on Sunday.

Analysis: QB Ryan Tannehill averaged 8.7 yards per pass attempt as Minnesota had two sacks and one takeaway. Through three games the Vikings rank bottom-three in the league in total defense (440 YPG) and scoring (34.0 PPG), while also being tied-28th in sacks (three) and tied-24th in takeaways (two). Houston has yet to find much of a rhythm on either side of the ball in 2020, but the Minnesota D/ST has yet to show it's worthy of fantasy consideration this year.

The Vikings gave up 26 offensive points and 354 yards during Sunday's loss to the Colts and play the Titans in Week 3.

Analysis: Minnesota had two sacks and one takeaway during the contest but provided little else of consequence. The defense certainly hasn't played well through the first two weeks of the season, but the ineptitude of an offense that is averaging about 20 minutes of possession per game is severely problematic. There's no reason to trust the Vikings D/ST heading into Week 3.

The Vikings allowed 41 offensive points and 522 yards to the Packers in Week 1 and play the Colts on Sunday.

Analysis: Green Bay was unable to find the end zone on its first two red zone opportunities, but QB Aaron Rodgers picked the defense apart the rest of the way with 364 yards and four touchdowns. It was one of the worst defensive performances the team has seen under coach Mike Zimmer, and is a worrying sign given the inexperience at cornerback. The Colts had one sack allowed and two giveaways with 445 yards in the season opener, and the often turnover-prone Philip Rivers represents a much more promising…read more

The Vikings will have a divisional matchup with the Packers at home in Sunday's season opener.

Analysis: Minnesota should put forth another good defense in 2020, but Week 1 won't present an appetizing matchup. QB Aaron Rodgers and the Packers didn't have an overly explosive offense in 2019 as it ranked 18th in total offense (345.5 YPG) and 15th in scoring (23.5 PPG), but they still had fantastic ball security with only 13 giveaways (second). The addition of Yannick Ngakoue should help negate the absence of Danielle Hunter (neck), but this remains an unexciting matchup for the Vikings D/ST.

Free-agent signing Michael Pierce opted out of the 2020 season due to respiratory concerns.

Analysis: Pierce signed a three-year, $27 million deal in March, but he won't be playing this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Combined with the departure of Linval Joseph, Minnesota's interior defensive line is much less of a strength. The Vikings ranked 14th in total defense (341.6 YPG), tied-fifth in scoring (18.9 PPG), fourth in takeaways and tied-fifth in sacks (48), as they continue to be a model of consistency under coach Mike Zimmer. More of the same seems likely in 2020, though the on-field…read more

The Vikings allowed 23 points and 383 yards to the Packers in Week 16 and play the Bears on Sunday.

Analysis: Minnesota managed to force three first-half turnovers against one of the most secure offenses in the league, but the ineptitude of their own offense (139 yards and only seven first downs) made for a difficult evening. The regular-season finale versus Chicago presents a much better matchup, as it has scored only 16 points over the last two games. The Vikings D/ST is a solid option with a good floor for Week 17.

The Vikings racked up seven takeaways against the Chargers in Week 15 and play the Packers on Monday Night Football.

Analysis: Minnesota certainly played great defense Sunday, but Los Angeles did themselves no favors with their performance. The Vikings also added three sacks, with the only thing missing from the performance being a touchdown. QB Aaron Rodgers and the Packers haven't been anything special offensively this season, but they still have the second-fewest giveaways (nine) in the league. That type of ball security leaves little room for error for the Minnesota D/ST in Week 16, though its defensive performance…read more

The Vikings allowed to 231 yards and seven points during the Week 14 victory over the Lions and play the Chargers on Sunday.

Analysis: Minnesota was close to the shutout as Detroit didn't score until 2:09 remaining in the game, and it had significant production with five sacks and two takeaways. The Chargers are coming off a 45-point explosion against the Jaguars, and despite their struggles this season still have a solid group of playmakers in WR Keenan Allen, TE Hunter Henry and RBs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler. Minnesota has been a solid defensive unit most of the season, but fantasy production has been inconsistent. Los…read more

The Vikings gave up 444 yards and 37 points to the Seahawks in Week 13 and will play the Lions on Sunday.

Analysis: Minnesota was torched for 218 rushing yards and 5.1 YPC as Seattle possessed the ball for nearly 40 minutes, but there was still plenty of production to be had. The Vikings had two sacks and two takeaways, including a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown from Anthony Harris. Week 14 presents a much more palatable matchup against the Lions, who are likely without QB Matthew Stafford (back/hip) once again. David Blough was serviceable in his first career start versus Chicago, but this…read more

The Vikings come out of their bye week allowing 338.6 YPG and 18.6 PPG and will play the Seahawks on Monday.

Analysis: Minnesota provided limited fantasy production with only one takeaway and two sacks Week 11 against Denver, but it still managed to avoid the loss. QB Russell Wilson provides a more challenging matchup Monday, but the Vikings have been a consistent defensively for most of the season. Minnesota also ranks in the top half of the league in takeaways (16) and sacks (31), and their well-rounded numbers provide a decent floor. Seattle is certainly no matchup to write home about, but you could do worse…read more

The Vikings surrendered 443 yards in Sundays 28-24 win over the Cowboys and will play the Broncos in Week 11.

Analysis: Minnesota forced the game's lone turnover and each team had one sack, so there wasn't much defensive fantasy production in this contest. The Vikings still rank as one of the better defensive units in the league (18.8 PPG and 333.1 YPG), and they will have a chance to face a Broncos offense that struggles to score (16.6 PPG) and protect the quarterback (30 sacks allowed). Minnesota should be a top-tier D/ST this week while QB Brandon Allen makes his second career start for Denver.